Care & Maintenance of Factory-Built Fireplaces

Care & Maintenance of Factory-Built Fireplaces

Maintaining factory-built fireplaces

It is crucial to properly care for and maintain factory-built fireplaces to ensure their efficient and safe operation over the years. These fireplace systems are designed to fail if not properly maintained. In many cases, factory-built fireplaces are poorly constructed and incorrectly installed. It is important to note that factory-built fireplaces have been UL-tested to minimum fire standards. Failing to meet these minimum clearances could result in a disaster for surrounding combustible materials. Improper installation of a factory-built fireplace can also pose a potential fire hazard. Contractors often use the cheapest parts when installing these fireplaces, which can create fire hazards over time with regular use and water intrusion. Ultimately, ensuring the maintenance of factory-built fireplaces is essential for the safety of your family and home.

FAQ for Fireplace Care and Maintenance

Most factory-built fireplaces are made of metal and can include insulated walls, glass doors, air-cooled pipes, and blowers to circulate the fire’s heat. These fireplaces come as a complete system, including the fireplace and chimney, which are tested and listed for use together. In other words, each factory-built fireplace has a specific chimney designed for use only with that particular fireplace.

Factory-built fireplaces can generate heat for a house in two main ways. The standard radiant heat method involves the heat from the fire radiating into the room, but it has limitations in terms of the amount of heat it can provide to the house. The circulating air method, on the other hand, uses louvers and at least one blower to push air along the hot walls, picking up heat and pushing it back into the living space.

Because a factory-built unit is so much lighter than masonry fireplaces, these fireplaces do not require the concrete foundation necessary for masonry. The insulation and/or cooling spaces built into these systems allow the back of the fireplace to be placed closer to combustible materials than their masonry counterparts.

Although most units are metal, pre-manufactured, modular, masonry fireplaces are also available. These masonry models incorporate special engineering techniques not used in most field-constructed fireplaces, including a listed venting system. Like metal factory-built fireplaces, pre-manufactured masonry fireplaces reduce the clearance to combustibles and increase the amount of heat produced by the fireplace. These advantages, coupled with the lasting nature of masonry, make pre-cast refractory fireplaces and other modular masonry fireplace systems an attractive, but somewhat more expensive, alternative to the relatively inexpensive materials and construction of the mass-produced factory-built fireplace.

Proper use is critical to the safe and efficient operation of factory-built fireplaces. When you light a fire, keep in mind the following considerations:

  • The damper must be fully open before starting a fire and left open until the fire is out. If a source for outside combustion air exists, be sure that it is open before you light the fire.
  • Don’t overload the fireplace. If you do, burning logs could roll out. Never use wet or green wood.
  • Be sure to close the screen to prevent sparks from flying out into your living room. Close the glass doors to reduce heat loss from the room into the chimney only when your fire is almost out. Glass doors on a factory-built fireplace must be tested and listed for that particular fireplace. It can be dangerous to use the wrong set of glass doors on your fireplace.
  • Never start a fire with liquid fire starters, i.e. gasoline, kerosene, etc.
  • Do not burn Christmas trees or a lot of paper in your fireplace. This type of fire gets very hot quickly. It can also cause the joints of the chimney to separate or the metal to warp.
  • Annual inspection and sweeping, when required, of your fireplace and chimney is recommended by the National Fire Protection Association and the Chimney Safety Institute of America.

Caution: Do not install a wood stove, whether free-standing or insert style, into a factory-built fireplace and chimney system unless the insert you are using has been UL tested and approved by the manufacturer of the chimney system. Installing an insert into a fireplace not designed for its weight or intense heat could result in a house fire and void any warranty issued by the fireplace manufacturer.

Factory-built fireplaces are decorative heating appliances. They are engineered with specific components that, when properly installed, will give you years of enjoyable use. Regular service and maintaining factory-built fireplaces will help owners keep a step ahead of potential problems.

A factory-built unit will reach the end of its useful life when repair of the unit is no longer possible, particularly if the components that are necessary to maintain the listing are no longer available.

A factory-built fireplace is the only built-in home appliance that cannot be easily removed for inspection. To ensure the factory-built fireplace is installed correctly, hire a Certified Chimney Professional to perform a Level II Chimney Inspection. This inspection will reveal any potential fire hazards with the factory-built fireplace. When installing a new factory-built fireplace, it’s important to obtain a building permit before installation. The building inspector will examine the system to confirm that it was installed according to the code.

As always, a reputable NCSG Certified Chimney Professional or CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep should be used when these units are purchased and installed. Local codes and the manufacturer’s installation instructions should be followed to the minimum standards.

Because metal factory-built units are relatively lightweight and do not require a footing. The reduced clearance between the fireplace and combustible materials, affords homeowners a wide range of design and placement choices.

It’s important to maintain factory-built fireplaces and their parts. Most manufacturers of these fireplaces require replacing the firebox’s refractory panels if a nickel can be inserted into a crack or if the panel’s surface has worn down more than 1/4″ from its original surface. If replacement is necessary, it should be done by a Certified Chimney Professional who knows about factory-built fireplaces and how to replace the panels.

Factory-built fireplaces come in many different styles, reflecting the various housing styles found around the world.

They can be finished with nearly any material, offering various design options. Homeowners can choose to finish the area around the fireplace with different mantel styles, such as traditional full-surround, painted or stained, and simple or intricate designs. They can also use a rustic cedar or stonework mantle. The front face of the fireplace can be finished with materials like tile or marble. Most factory-built fireplaces come in a black finish, although many manufacturers offer them with brass trim. See the image below for an example of a factory-built fireplace.

Yes, as long as the fireplace has a knock-out to allow the installation of a gas log lighter bar. Further, it must be listed for use with solid fuel, and the listing cannot specifically exclude the installation of gas log sets. Unless the fireplace manufacturer specifically allows it, the installation of “vent-free” gas log sets is NOT permitted. When allowed, the damper is blocked completely open, and they are treated as a fully vented gas log set.

Schedule Chimney Inspection and Repair

At Adams Chimney Specialist, LLC, we understand the importance of maintaining a safe and efficient chimney. That’s why we also offer comprehensive chimney sweep, inspections, and masonry repair services to help keep your home safe and comfortable. Our team of experts dedicates itself to delivering high-quality chimney services tailored to your specific needs and budget. Whether you need a routine chimney sweep or a full inspection and repair, we have you covered.

We strongly recommend that you schedule an appointment with our team. Don’t wait until it’s too late – let us help you keep your chimney in top condition and enjoy the benefits of a well-maintained home.

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